Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up

Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, I’m Cath Hak, your friendly sex educator. On my YouTube channel and website, I review books and talk about sex education. Today, I want to tell you about a fantastic book called Wait What. It’s a comic book guide to relationships, bodies, and growing up, written by Heather Corinna and Isabella Rotten.

Now, Heather Corinna is the genius behind Scarleteen, a website for teens about sex. They also wrote another book called S-E-X, which covers everything you could ever want to know about love, sex, and relationships. So you can expect Wait What to be just as informative and helpful as the Scarleteen website.

This book is perfect for older tweens and early teens, around 12 or 13 years old. Of course, every kid is different, so you know your child best. But I wouldn’t recommend it for younger kids just yet.

Let’s dive into the book itself. First off, it’s absolutely gorgeous! I love that it’s easy to read and visually appealing. We need to keep up with the times, especially when it comes to books for tweens and teens. As a parent, I appreciate books like this because they’re not only engaging for kids, but also easier for me to understand.

The book covers a wide range of topics, from puberty to relationships. It starts by addressing the common questions tweens have, like when certain changes will happen to their bodies. The book emphasizes that everyone is different and there’s no set timeline for these things. It also reminds readers that real life is often different from what they see online.

Next, it delves into puberty and the changes that happen to bodies with penises and bodies with vaginas. It’s important to note that the book acknowledges the diversity of bodies, including intersex and transgender individuals. It covers the stages of puberty and the specific changes that can happen. It even addresses the worries some kids may have about their genitals not looking normal, which is a common concern fueled by unrealistic portrayals in pornography.

The book also explores gender, challenging stereotypes and encouraging readers to define their own identities. It talks about crushes, love, and relationships, which I think is fantastic. It’s rare to find a book that goes into such detail on these topics. It helps kids understand their feelings and navigate the early stages of dating. It even touches on important issues like consent and keeping safe.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a book about sex without discussing sexual orientation. The book explains different terms and identities, while reminding readers that sexual identity can change over time. It also tackles the concept of virginity and addresses double standards surrounding it.

Throughout the book, there are activities and interactive elements to keep readers engaged. It’s not overwhelming with information, but it goes beyond the basics, providing age-appropriate and inclusive knowledge. The back of the book includes resources and a glossary to help readers understand any unfamiliar terms.

Overall, I really like this book. It’s perfect for kids who are starting to become curious about sex and relationships. It provides them with accurate information in an easy-to-understand way. By giving your kids this book, you’re empowering them to find answers to their questions without turning to unreliable sources like porn.

So, if you’re a parent looking for a great resource to educate your child about sex, Wait What is definitely one I recommend. It strikes the right balance between informative and approachable, and it covers a wide range of important topics. Trust me, your child will thank you for it!

Alright, that’s all for now. Take care and cheers!